Ethics

Choosing Up Sides

States are split on whether attorneys may take part in online legal-match services

May 1, 2007 9:22 AM CDT

Firm Sued Over Forging of Judge’s Signature

A lawyer from a well-known Denver firm has been suspended and faces potential disciplinary action for admittedly forging a federal judge’s signature on a document in order to remove a lien and help a client get a loan, reports the Rocky Mountain News. Funds from the loan were to be…

Apr 27, 2007 6:49 PM CDT

Judge Sanctioned for Sarcastic Remarks

A Los Angeles judge been publicly admonished for treating an attorney in a “belittling, rude and sarcastic manner” and for abusing his authority, the Los Angeles Times reports. The opinion (PDF) by the California Commission on Judicial Performance says conduct rules require judges to be patient, dignified and courteous to…

Apr 27, 2007 6:24 PM CDT

Davis Polk Not Liable for Malpractice

New York’s highest court has ordered a real-estate investment company to pay the $1.4 million outstanding balance of a “success fee” charged by Davis Polk & Wardwell. The New York Court of Appeals (PDF) said the law firm did not commit malpractice in its representation of AmBase Corp. in a…

Apr 27, 2007 12:37 PM CDT

Calif. Judge Removed Over Sentencing Issues

A Monterey County judge reportedly was removed from the bench this week becuse of sentencing improprieties. They included increasing sentences for probation violators without giving them due process, joking with defendants about their sentences and penalizing defendants whose lawyers were late to court, according to the AP. A three-judge panel…

Apr 26, 2007 9:22 PM CDT

Police: CA ‘Lawyer’ Practiced for Years, in Court

A would-be California lawyer who earned a juris doctor degree but didn’t pass the bar has now reportedly been arrested for allegedly passing himself off as a licensed attorney and representing clients for several years. Thomas Bernard Ware, 50, of Sacramento even appeared in court without being detected, although he…

Apr 26, 2007 3:11 AM CDT

Terrorist Sheik’s Lawyer Disbarred

A civil rights lawyer convicted for helping an imprisoned sheik communicate with his followers has been disbarred. A New York appeals court formally disbarred lawyer Lynne Stewart yesterday, rejecting an effort she made last year to voluntarily give up her license, according to the New York Post and Associated Press.…

Apr 25, 2007 4:46 PM CDT

In-Chambers Sex, Alleged Courthouse Showers

Showering together with an illicit lover may not be all that unusual. But doing so at the courthouse may have cost a Colorado judge and the lawyer he was involved with their jobs. The two admittedly had sex in the judge’s chambers and, according to an attorney disciplinary complaint, showered…

Apr 24, 2007 11:04 PM CDT

Ethics Complaint Alleges Courthouse Affair

An ethics complaint claims a prosecutor appeared before a Colorado judge even though the two were having an affair that included trysts in the judge’s chambers, the Rocky Mountain News reports. Named in the complaint are Grafton Minot Biddle, who resigned his Douglas County judgeship after his wife sent a…

Apr 24, 2007 3:20 PM CDT

No Car Registration = No Law License?

A lawyer who allegedly used his Portsmouth, N.H., office address rather than his Maine home address when registering three vehicles has been criminally charged and could conceivably lose his law license, reports the Seacoast. Richard Foley, 53, of Kittery, Maine, who is charged with three felony title fraud counts, was…

Apr 23, 2007 9:41 PM CDT

Ousted for Bad Mouth, NY Lawyer Doesn’t Zip It

After 50 years in practice and a self-estimated $70 million in verdicts for his clients, 77-year-old Kenneth Heller stands out for one completely unique accomplishment – he is the only lawyer in New York City ever disbarred for obnoxious behavior, according to the Village Voice. According to disciplinary hearing records,…

Apr 23, 2007 6:21 PM CDT

Judge Suspended for Jailing Immigrants

A western Kentucky judge is being suspended without pay for 15 days for jailing indefinitely 17 immigrants initially stopped for traffic violations. Judge Carol Sue Browning arranged for police to jail immigrants without identification, and then denied them bail while federal authorities investigated their status, the AP reports. Some were…

Apr 20, 2007 6:16 PM CDT

Miami Attorney to Get 10-Year Sentence

A Miami attorney accused of stealing millions of dollars from asbestos clients is expected to get a 10-year sentence in a plea deal, the Daily Business Review reports. The newspaper cites sources within the U.S. attorney’s office, but was not able to reach Louis Robles or his lawyer for confirmation.…

Apr 19, 2007 12:19 PM CDT

Exonerated Duke Defendant: D.A. Should Resign

One of three former Duke lacrosse players declared earlier this week to be innocent of accusations of having raped a stripper at a team party is calling for the resignation of the Durham, N.C., district attorney who initially handled the prosecution. Colin Finnerty, through his lawyer, has asked state officials…

Apr 18, 2007 8:41 PM CDT

Judicial Ethics Group Shuns ‘Schmucks!’

New York’s Commission on Judicial Conduct and its chair are both exploring their options following a spat over a book called Schmucks! Divorce lawyer Raoul Felder co-wrote the humorous book with comedian Jackie Mason. The commission labels its content “crude, biased, vulgar and otherwise demeaning,” the New York Law Journal…

Apr 17, 2007 12:40 PM CDT